In A Collapsed Society

In A Collapsed Society

Death, in a collapsed society, in a true wide spread SHTF deal, we will be faced with many “wakeup calls”. One of the most unpleasant will be death. Death of a loved one, by natural causes, accident or some other reason, will happen. Not only will we be tasked with the emotion but the trauma of what to do with the deceased, what to do and how to it and where to do it.
At our disposal (no pun) we have a few simple options we can employ. Before embalming was wide spread in this country, the time period from death to grave was within 24 hours. That was in the summer, high temperature has a huge impact on the decomposition , more so than a time period. Interesting that today 22 states require embalming after 24, 48 or 72 hours after death. However, they also have the option of refrigeration.

 A few 100 years ago our ancestors buried a body where it fell. Or was carried outside to a nearby “plot” picked out as easy to dig. They did not have any real options.
What we can do is wash the body, and perhaps dress it. This was common  and was an act of love, and respect. However, after a short time the body begins to lose all bodily functions. Cleaning the body for some will be an impossible task, it does eliminate “odors” .

 Our ancestors knew certain things, like the use of vinegar to wash out the mouth, helps to eliminate order. Folding of the arms over the chest must be done before rigor mortis sets in. Tying the feet together will limit after death contractions.
 Using a rag or a nice linen to wrap around the head, and under the chin will keep the mouth closed. We have all seen movies where the use of coins were placed over the eyes, well it really does help to keep them shut.

 Dressing the body, is helped by slitting the back of the shirt, blouse, coat, pants, dress, and tucking under the body. All the prep work will help when you must place the body into a casket of some kind or wrap the deceased in a blanket, and lower into a grave, you will have to dig. Perhaps in a total breakdown the family plot will make a comeback. You can mark the grave with a large stone, a hand carved marker from wood. If the time frame permits, you might be able to build a “pine box” or such. Six feet was and is the depth one should go for. If that is not possible, cover with heavy rocks, logs ,what have you, keeps the critters out. Or you might wish to cremate the remains.

 Recapping, I suspect most would want to make sure our loved one was clean and dressed for the long sleep.We will be face to face, and up close to death. Room temperature will dictate how fast we will have to move. We may not be able to do all that we would want for the deceased, however , being somewhat prepared for death will help. Discussing this topic with family and friends if and when we have a huge meltdown of some kind means that you be, at the least, able to handle the situation with some dignity .

 Third world and beyond countries still deal with death and the digging of the graves. The more you know about what you have to do, and the few options that will be open to you, the less trauma you will have over the lack of what we have come to expect with the death of a loved one.

This is not a pleasant article, it is not all romance and tough guys, it is being real. The survivors will have to deal with living and moving forward.

By Dude McLean